O at the Edges

Musings on poetry, language, perception, numbers, food, and anything else that slips through the cracks.

Dog

Posted on October 19, 2014 by robert okaji

Dog

Not away, but after
or contrary,

the reversal indicative
and untoward: scratching,

she spirals to the perfect
spot between us, touching both,

then sighs. In comfort, in ecstasy,
in contentment, who can say?

But we sigh in response.

48 thoughts on “Dog”

deathbycartoon on October 19, 2014 at 11:38 am said:

Really sweet poem. Truly captures the feeling of having a puppy.

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- robert okaji on October 19, 2014 at 1:59 pm said:
  
  Thank you. Dogs are dear to me. Life without one would be difficult.
  
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  - St Brigid Press on October 19, 2014 at 4:27 pm said:
    
    Indeed. Feels like my have saved my life. Or at least my soul. Lovely poem.
    
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Laine Jensen on October 19, 2014 at 11:46 am said:

Sounds as though you have known this kind of friendship personally – I really enjoyed this poem 🙂 Thank you

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- robert okaji on October 19, 2014 at 2:00 pm said:
  
  Oh, yes! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
  
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Leigh W. Smith on October 19, 2014 at 12:48 pm said:

Dogs are really authentic and true creatures, if ever there were any. Even the “fru-fru” or really pampered-beyond-belief dogs, I think, probably have that internal devil-may-care attitude from time to time. Great poem, Robert; you convey unadorned dog movements so well through words, prepositions even!, that are not really a one-to-one relationship (e.g., “Not away, but after/or contrary,/the reversal indicative/and untoward…”) That is an awe-inspiring ability.

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- Leigh W. Smith on October 19, 2014 at 12:49 pm said:
  
  P.S. Your chihuahua is adorable! 🙂
  
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  - robert okaji on October 19, 2014 at 2:06 pm said:
    
    Meet Apollonia, the Five Pound Terror of Texas, and Lissa’s number one companion. She’s very cute. And sweet. And feisty!
    
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    - Leigh W. Smith on October 19, 2014 at 2:07 pm said:
      
      Chi’s can be so feisty, as you said. Lovely little Apollonia–congratulations, Robert! 🙂
      
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- robert okaji on October 19, 2014 at 2:04 pm said:
  
  They are indeed authentic and true, and all have their own unique personalities. I enjoyed trying to capture that movement in an oblique manner.
  
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  - sarasallydavis on October 19, 2014 at 5:23 pm said:
    
    You did…perfectly. Just exactly. Thank you.
    
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  - robert okaji on October 20, 2014 at 5:52 pm said:
    
    I’m so pleased you feel that way!
    
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a gentle iconoclast on October 19, 2014 at 1:09 pm said:

love the last five lines! sweet doggy.

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- robert okaji on October 19, 2014 at 2:06 pm said:
  
  Thank you. She is very sweet.
  
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  - a gentle iconoclast on October 19, 2014 at 2:11 pm said:
    
    Robert, I’m sure she is. What a face too!
    
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Ron Nilson on October 19, 2014 at 3:09 pm said:

Love it! You describe the moment perfectly. Thank you.

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- robert okaji on October 20, 2014 at 5:52 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Ron.
  
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Cynthia Harrison on October 19, 2014 at 3:30 pm said:

Nice. Feel like I’m there when I read.

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- robert okaji on October 20, 2014 at 5:53 pm said:
  
  Thank you.
  
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pi314chron on October 19, 2014 at 5:19 pm said:

Bob, thank you for introducing us to Apollonia! She is sooo precious! And your poem has painted a vivid word-picture that makes me want to see her “personally.” If you and your wife are home…well. that’ll be ok, too! *g*

Ron

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- robert okaji on October 20, 2014 at 5:56 pm said:
  
  But then you might need to convince Ozymandias, her bodyguard and fellow Chihuahua, that you are worthy. And Ozzie is tough, I tell ya!
  
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ravendelajour on October 19, 2014 at 6:45 pm said:

Your poems are so lovely

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- robert okaji on October 20, 2014 at 5:56 pm said:
  
  Thank you.
  
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redgladiola on October 19, 2014 at 6:57 pm said:

Amusing and sweet! ❤

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- robert okaji on October 20, 2014 at 5:57 pm said:
  
  Like the pooch!
  
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willow1945 on October 19, 2014 at 7:11 pm said:

I have two Chihuahuas, so I know how snuggly they are, and how much it means to them, and to me, to have that physical contact–comfort, ecstasy, contentment–probably all three 🙂

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- robert okaji on October 20, 2014 at 5:57 pm said:
  
  I think so, too.
  
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moirainori77 on October 19, 2014 at 11:14 pm said:

Lovely. Suddenly, I miss having a dog. Thank you for your lovely work of art.

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- robert okaji on October 20, 2014 at 6:02 pm said:
  
  Dogs are essential to my comfort.
  
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chapman8pacbell on October 20, 2014 at 4:23 pm said:

Thank you for liking my blog, Running, Writing, and Traveling for Life! I haven’t thought of Li Po in donkey’s years! I must say Li Po was good in his time, but you have breathed new, more vibrant life into the lines. Allan Chapman (allanwchapman.com)

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- robert okaji on October 20, 2014 at 6:02 pm said:
  
  Thanks for your kind words.
  
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Miranda Stone on October 21, 2014 at 10:06 am said:

Oh, I just love this. 🙂

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- robert okaji on October 22, 2014 at 5:46 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Miranda!
  
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Alex on October 23, 2014 at 1:45 pm said:

I came to say thank you for reading more of my poetry and stayed awhile to enjoy your work. A wonderful group of pieces.
Alexander

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- robert okaji on October 23, 2014 at 9:15 pm said:
  
  You’re very welcome. And thanks for stopping by.
  
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Bill Wagner on October 23, 2014 at 8:09 pm said:

Very Cool!

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- robert okaji on October 23, 2014 at 9:15 pm said:
  
  Thanks.
  
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harmonioustew on October 24, 2014 at 12:46 am said:

dogs are indeed gods and, while i don’t always believe in god, i never disbelieve in dog.

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- robert okaji on October 24, 2014 at 5:50 am said:
  
  Dog is my copilot!
  
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daniel von der embse on October 24, 2014 at 6:56 pm said:

I shared this with my boxer, Stella. She liked it almost as much as the poem I wore for her “hidden in your smile”. Cheers!

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2014 at 3:41 am said:
  
  My greatest critic was an English Bulldog who would fall asleep and snore whenever I read to him.
  
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mschoolman on October 25, 2014 at 12:06 am said:

This poem is like a warm, fuzzy blanket for my brain…and my heart

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2014 at 3:41 am said:
  
  Glad you liked it!
  
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adverbcreative on October 26, 2014 at 2:45 pm said:

Sweetness incarnate! Bravo!

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- robert okaji on October 30, 2014 at 3:42 am said:
  
  Dogs! What would we do without them?
  
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Elouise on November 3, 2014 at 7:26 pm said:

So sweet! Finding the perfect spot between the two of you. What more is there? So happy you stopped by my blog today. Thanks!
Elouise

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Abu Talhah on November 3, 2014 at 8:56 pm said:

I love the last line. We DO sigh in response!

Dog: *sigh*rawrrr*yawn*

You: *sigh* Yeah life’s rough, huh buddy…

LOL such a great observation.

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- robert okaji on November 4, 2014 at 5:56 am said:
  
  Yes, the simplest pleasures…
  
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